Introduction to Pashupati Nath:
Lord Pashupati Nath, believed to be the incarnation of Lord Shiva is highly worshipped with devotion by Hindus worldwide. The famous temple of Pashupatinath, is an ancient revered and sacred Hindu temple in Nepal.
Pashu in Hindi is referred to as an animal and Patinath refers to Swamy or the Lord and hence, Pashupati Nath is projected as the Lord of all the animals. Pashupati Nath is believed to be the manifestation of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of a five-faced herdsman who protects and guides all the creatures on the mother earth.
The Famous Pashupatinath Temple, Nepal
The famous temple of Pahsupati Nath or sometimes also written as Pashupatinath, is located in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. The temple is dedicated to Pashupati, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
History of the PashupatiNath Temple, Nepal
The Pashupati Nath temple’s construction is attributable to King Pashupreksh of the Somdev dynasty in the third century BC.
The PashupatiNath Temple located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal is believed to have been initially built by Licchavi Kings in 400 CE. The Licchhavi king, Supuspadev, built the Pashupatinath temple during his reign from 464-505 AD.
It is said that King Bhaskar Verma in the 6th Century, made further contributions and adorned the Pashupati Nath temple with the precious metal gold .
King Mahendra is credited with constructing the magnificent entrance gate featuring Lord Shiva’s marvellous painting. In the 13th Century, King Ananta Malla further contributed in re-designing the temple structure.
Some historians attribute its construction to the 13th century and some attribute the construction of the original temple structure of the Pashupati Nath temple to the 15th century.
Different rulers are known to carry out minor to substantial renovations. Major renovation of the Pashupati Nath temple was carried out in the 16th century by King Bhupatindra Malla.
Later, the Rana rulers, during their reign from 1846-1950 CE contributed in renovating the Pashupati Nath temple and installed the silver-gilded doors of the temple.
The temple site is considered holy and worshipped by Hindus pilgrims who visit the shrine from all over the world.
The PashupatiNath Temple- A UNESCO heritage site
The temple of Pashupatinath has been declared by the international organisation, having it headquarter in Paris, France, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO’s) as a World Heritage Site in 1979.
The famous World heritage site of the Pashupati Nath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal is built in the multi-storeyed pagoda style of architecture featuring silver-coloured doors.
The temple premises have a sprawling complex having numerous small shrines. The Pashupati Nath temple also features a golden statue of Shiva’s bull, Nandi.
Cultural Importance of the PashupatiNath Temple
The temple of Pashupatinath holds immense cultural and religious significance. The famous festival of Maha Shivratri, dedicated to Lord Shiva is celebrated with grandeur and religious fervour at the precincts of the world renowned temple of Pashupati Nath, Kathmandu, Nepal.
At the banks of the holy river Bagmati in Kathmandu, Nepal, the people professing Hindu religion perform cremation of the dead bodies in accordance with the Hindu rituals and traditions.
The Pashupati Nath Mantra
The Pashupati Nath Mantra or the Pashupati Mantra signifies reverence to the Lord Pashupati Nath, the protector and well wisher of the entire animal kingdom. The temple of Pashupati Nath is considered as one of the revered and sacred Jyotirlinga, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
It is believed that worshipping at the altar of Lord Pashupatinath absolve the devotees of their sins and ensures their liberation from the cycle of birth and rebirth, thereby according them salvation.
The Pashupati Nath Mantra, invoking Lord Shiva while worshipping the God as per Hindu culture and traditions is the following:-
ॐ ह्रौं पाशुपते ह्रौं नमः (Om Hraum Pashupataye Hroum Namah)
Benefits derived from chanting of the Pashupati Nath Mantra
By chanting the Pashupatinath Mantra or the Pashupati Mantra, the devotees and pilgrims are believed to derive numerous social, cultural, emotional and spiritual benefits that enable them to smoothly face the odds in their lives by exhibiting grit, determination and courage.
Devotees by chanting Pashupatinath Mantra are able to focus and concentrate in their endeavours such as business, ventures or other vocations whole-heartedly, which is believed to bring about exponential growth and development.
The Pashupati Nath Mantra or the Pashupati Mantra is considered sacrosanct and its chanting, while worshipping Lord Shiva in his various forms as per Hindu rituals and customs, during the Shiv Ratri Hindu festival, is believed to provide spiritual solace and peace.
The Story of Pashupatinath
According to the popular Pashupatinath story, the Lord Shiva appeared in the form of an animal, the deer and was captivated and enamoured by the beautiful and picturesque banks of the holy river, Bagmati, where the Lord Shiva wanted to have His abode.
Gods and Goddesses tried to restore the position of the Lord Shiva and in the melee, one of the antler of the deer remained at the very place and the same is believed to be worshipped at the Pashupati Nath.
The site of the Pashupatinath is considered as pious and holy and the lord Shiva in the form of Pashupati Nath is worshipped as the protector of the entire animal kingdom.
As per another story, associated with the Pashupatinath temple, a herdsman found the lingam when his cow started pouring her milk at the holy lingam.
Conclusion to Pashupati Nath:
The Pashupati Nath, a form of Lord Shiva is believed to be the protector and mentor of the animal Kingdom. According to the Pashupatinath story, here at Pashupatinath, in Kathmandu Nepal, the Lord Shiva is believed to have appeared in the form of a deer.
Lord Shiva wanted to make this site in Nepal as His permanent abode. Devtas resisted the move and in the melee, the deer’s antlers remained here and since then the place is worshipped as Pashupatinath.
Pashupatinath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, nestled in the picturesque and serene mountain range of Himalayas in Kathmandu, Nepal is highly revered and worshipped by people professing the Hindu religion.
Devotees, from far and wide visit the ancient Pashupati Nath temple in large numbers every year to seek the blessings of the Lord Shiva.
Another Pashupati Nath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in Mandasuar, Madhya Pradesh, India.
The chanting of Pashupati Mantra, dedicated to Lord Pashupati Nath holds immense spiritual and cultural significance for Hindus across the globe.
The Pashupatinath Temple is a significant Hindu religious shrine that signifies the rich cultural heritage of Hindu religion.
FAQs about Pashupati Nath:
Q.1. Where is Pashupatinath temple located?
Ans. Pashupatinath temple, dedicated to Pashupatinath, the protector of animals, is located in Kathmandu, Nepal. Lord Pashupatinath is a form of Lord Shiva.
Q.2. Is Pashupatinath temple a UNESCO heritage site?
Ans. 2. Yes, the Pashupatinath temple in Nepal has been declared as a UNESCO heritage site.
Q.3. What is the story associated with Pashupatinath temple, Nepal?
Ans. 3. According to the Pashupatinath story, Lord Shiva appeared in the form of a deer and desired to live on the banks of Bagmati river. Devtas and other beings got alarmed and struggled with him. During the strife, one of the antler of the deer was broken there and is worshipped as Pashupatinath, the protector of animals.
Q.4. What is the Pashupati Mantra?
Ans.4 The sacred Pashupati Mantra is ॐ ह्रौं पाशुपते ह्रौं नमः (Om Hraum Pashupati Hroum Namah).
